Radial Electromechanical Properties of Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract
The radial electromechanical properties of carbon nanotubes have been measured. The electrical conductance of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as a function of the loading force and bias voltage applied by an atomic force microscope tip is reported (see Figure). An increase of the conductance due to the tip–SWNT electrical contact formation and a drop of the conductance at high loading forces due to radial molecule deformation are observed (see also inside front cover).